No Copy

Paris, Texas

Earlier this year, a former colleague of mine moved to Paris. If you want to learn more about the stuff expats are confronted with (for example because you are dreaming of moving to Paris too), it might be good idea to read her blog, at least for a while (in Dutch).

The biggest problem seems to be the quality and the price of accommodation. It is, indeed, amazing how big the amounts are you have to pay for a place in the city of lights. This is one of the billboards we noticed while we were taking a short city trip to Paris last November (finally managed to update my Flickr account too, by the way):

Not exactly motivating is it? There are some real estate cowboys running the place, if you ask me. In that case, I think I prefer the real cowboys from Paris, Texas... Does it surprise you this reminds me of one of the better films AND soundtracks of the past few decades?

Silence is sexy

Let me introduce you to Piet, a colleague of mine:

Piet is a very nice chap. A quality which is excellently captured in this photo, wouldn't you agree? I think so. The photographer is another colleague of mine, Steven.

Now, it's Steven I really wanted to talk about in this post. He is, well, more of the quiet type. Great sense of humour, though, and a great photographer. So if you ever need one: contact him.

Steven is also a music fan, They Might Be Giants and Einstürzende Neubauten being two of his favourite bands. The latter I totally understand. The former... well, I guess it's a matter of taste :-}.

Anyway, we went to see the Neubauten in Brussels a couple of years ago. Great experience. And hence the reference in the title. Steven is, after all, perhaps the rather silent type. But just for the record: I do NOT find him sexy...

 

Long way to the top

Today saw first practice of the new basketball season for these two. I guess it's a long way to the top ... :-) :

Bicycle race

Off to La Roche in a couple of hours for the Velomediane or Claude Criquielion Classic tomorrow. 172 km, 24 climbs, a 3300 m height difference to overcome... I have no idea whether I'll even be able to finish this ride. After all, it's the first time I ride a combination of this distance AND stage profile. We'll see. Can't blame it on a lack of preparation at great altitude,though... :-) :

NOTE: This is one of the pictures I should be updating my Flickr account with any time soon. Have been neglecting it for some time now. Perhaps I should cut down on the cycling a bit?

NOTE2: I know: Queen is not the kind of band you want to admit liking in certain circles. But I have always had a soft spot for Freddy and his gang. And having seen his statue in Montreux this summer, my kids are also taking an interest in the band.

They especially seem to like Bicycle Race. I wonder if that's a coincidence...

Bob's your uncle

Just keep breathing, push when necessary and Bob's your uncle. According to my sister, giving birth is not such a big deal at all. The result, on the other hand...

 

Anyway, in this case, Serge is your uncle. Welcome to this world, Axelle (°25 January 2007 at 11.22 a.m. - 2.650 kg and 48.5 cm).

I smell winter

Finally. I smell winter. Not only a great song by The Housemartins, but also reality early this morning:

I know a big bunch of small people who will be thrilled to hear the school bell ring today. I think I'll join them...

The importance of being Ernest

Do you know Ernest Longstaff? Well, you do now... Yes, I have finally given in to the increasing number of Second Life residents telling me I should give it a try. So, what the heck: here goes.

After all, it is better to be an informed sceptic than to remain uniformed (you are right about that, Kami). And since there is actually some worthwile stuff going on out there (like the 'Stand Up for the millennium development goals' campaign Andrea referred to recently), I could not really think of a reason not to go and have look.

I'll keep you posted on what it's like. For now, I'm still sceptical :-) ...

Flou

It's election time. Hundreds, thousands of faces looking at us from the side of the road, in an effort to convince us of their being worthy of our vote. I wonder if it makes any difference. Most pictures are too (stereo)typicical to have a lot of effect. Fortunately, there are some exceptions to that rule. If the candidate's efforts to be original are always that well-chosen is of course a totally different matter. Some are hilarious, others are hmmm... interesting. Like this picture from Stern Demeulenaere, a candidate from a neighbouring town:

It is a striking photo, I admit. But there was something bothering me about it, although I could not immediately put my finger on it. But now I know: her efforts to have a certain diva-like quality have lead to her looking more like an actress you can see in certain x-rated movies than like a serious political candidate. And you know what: it's the shiny white combined with the tease of cleavage, the hint of lying down and especially the hazy "flou artistique" that do it if you ask me.

Mind you, I'm all for women in politics. And if they are good-looking to boot, that's even better. So if you have it, flaunt it. But please don't use a misplaced sex appeal to try and convince me. I wonder if Stern has taken a leaf from our current budget minister's 2000 campaign...

Summer's gone

Summer's gone. Not only the first line of the chorus of one of the best Buffalo Tom songs ever, but also a call-to-reality: today the new academic year has set in. Fortunately there was last Sunday at the seaside for a final boost of fresh air and dito energy. So I guess I'm ready. Should any students be reading this: you'd better make sure you are too!

[8mm - 1/640s - f5.6 - ISO100]

[9mm - 1/320s - f5.6 - ISO100]

Doggie style

Dogs seem to be doing the trick in advertising and communication nowadays...

[via]

... especially when dog products are involved :-) :

[via]

Even Ikea has managed to create a real internet buzz with a photo of a family and their dog (the latter alledgedly flaunting a human penis) inside their new catalogue (with a zoom version of the picture here):

Sure, they did not do it on purpose (or at least that's what they say - and I tend to believe them, probably unlike this guy), but still, the buzz is there:

Considering the fact that the Ikea catalogue is getting more wide-spread than the bible (175 million copies across 35 countries), this photo will be seen by a lot of families. And, who knows, their dogs...